Jacob&#39;s Ladder Type Toy for Display Purposes

ABSTRACT

A set of substantially rectangular blocks which are hingedly interconnected in a linear series by two smaller ribbons which are fixed at both ends of each adjacent block with one larger ribbon alternative between the blocks capable of displaying images or messages on either side of said ribbon depending on the articulation of the blocks. As the toy articulates through its motions, the images will appear unobstructed by any ribbons.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

The present invention relates to both the new inventive construction and the new feature of a toy known in America as a Jacob's ladder. These toys were popular in the early 1900's, and reinvented in the early seventies and mid nineties. Several patents have been issued based on the unique and novel modifications and/or uses of the Jacob's Ladders.

The original toy consists of a series of flat blocks laid end to end and each block held to an adjacent block by at least three ribbons to provide a double hinge for adjacent blocks. Two of the ribbons are fixed to the end of one of the adjacent blocks and one of the ribbons is fixed to the other end of the same adjacent block Ribbons fit across the face of the block to which it is fixed and then to be fixed to the adjacent block at the hinge point of the blocks. As is well known, a double hinge is thereby made with one ribbon in the one direction and the other with the pair ribbons in the opposite direction. Ribbons are of equal size and designed to function as hinged connections only. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,670; see U.S. Pat. No. 4,183,166. These traditional ribbons are of equal size and are used only as functional support of the Jacob's ladder ability to flip end over end.

The present invention is unique in that it allows the interconnected flat blocks to be used for marketing purposes and other enjoyable items such as calendars, photograph albums and pictorials, or learning tools for children such as multiplication tables or the alphabet. It has a single larger ribbon capable of receiving images; such larger ribbon now has a dual purpose and not the singular purpose of supporting the articulation of the toy. It can also be used for teaching children to identity objects and derive words in a fun and unique way. For instance, pictures of a Sun, Moon, and the Stars can be on one side and then the child can articulate the invention to see if he/she has spelled the words correctly the new invention can display sports memorabilia as shown in FIGS. 1 through 8, including, but not limited to, baseball cards or other trading cards. The present invention is distinguishable from the method set forth in the Question-And-Answer Game, U.S. Pat. No. 4,657,238, as such an invention fails to integrate the ribbons in such a way as to make them display mechanisms.

As the toy articulates through its motions, the images will appear uninterrupted and not blocked by any ribbons. No prior invention has integrated the blocks and ribbons in such a meaningful way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. is the present invention showing in perspective the blocks hinged together and at rest prior to lifting for play with sports memorabilia thereon;

FIG. 2. is the present invention showing in reverse perspective the FIG. 1 blocks hinged together and at rest prior to lifting for play with sports memorabilia thereon;

FIG. 3. is the present invention showing in articulated perspective the FIG. 1 blocks hinged together and at rest prior to lifting for play with sports memorabilia thereon,

FIG. 4. is the present invention showing in reverse perspective the FIG. 3 blocks hinged together and at rest prior to lifting for play with sports memorabilia thereon;

FIG. 5. is the present invention showing in perspective the blocks hinged together and at rest prior to lifting for play with sports memorabilia thereon;

FIG. 6. is the present invention showing in reverse perspective the FIG. 5 blocks hinged together and at rest prior to lifting for play with sports memorabilia thereon;

FIG. 7. is the present invention showing in articulated perspective the FIG. 5 blocks hinged together and at rest prior to lifting for play with sports memorabilia thereon;

FIG. 8. is the present invention showing in reverse perspective the FIG. 7 blocks hinged together and at rest prior to lifting for play with sports memorabilia thereon; and

FIG. 9. is the present invention showing a side view and the fastening means associated with securing the ribbons.

FIG. 10. is a black and white drawing showing the various parts comprising the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, the various views and embodiments of the device are illustrated and described, and other possible embodiments are described. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some instances the drawings have been exaggerated and/or simplified in places for illustrative purposes only. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the many possible applications and variations based on the following examples of possible embodiments.

FIG. 1 is the present invention showing in perspective the blocks hinged together and at rest prior to lifting for play with sports memorabilia thereon. One can see that the ribbons which interrelated the blocks consists of two smaller ribbons, these smaller ribbons located on the far corners of each block. One larger ribbon capable of supporting images in a meaningful way is run in the opposite direction to the two smaller ribbons. When the top block is maneuvered, and the toy is allowed to articulate downwards through its full range of motions thereby reversing the blocks, FIG. 3 results. FIG. 2 is the present invention showing in reverse perspective of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is the reverse side of FIG. 3. FIG. 1 blocks hinged together and at rest prior to lifting for play with sports memorabilia thereon. FIG. 4 is the present invention showing the reverse perspective the FIG. 3 blocks hinged together and at rest prior to lifting for play with sports memorabilia thereon. FIGS. 5 through 9 show different views of the invention as articulate through that toy's motions.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that a new inventive Jacob's Ladder type toy provides an attractive display device with great marketing potential for commercial and individual users. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description herein are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive manner, and are not intended to be limiting to the particular forms and examples disclosed. On the contrary, included are any further modifications, changes, rearrangements, substitutions, alternatives, design choices, and embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope hereof, as defined by the following claims. Thus, it is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such further modifications, changes, rearrangements, substitutions, alternatives, design choices, and embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the FIG. 1, there is shown for purposes of illustration a first set of five substantially rectangular blocks 1 located beside a second set of half blocks 2 making 5 substantially rectangular blocks.

Each block may be of generally rectangular shape, such shape may be perfectly uniform around the edges or contain slight various for decorative purposes. The generally rectangular blocks are connected by two small bands, approximately a quarter (¼) to a third of an inch (⅓) in width, such bands alternatively connected by a fastening means to each successive blocks thereby enabling the Jacob's Ladder type articulation of the toy. See FIG. 10A. The third, large band, approximate one (1) inch to no more than three (3) inches, optimally two and one half inches (2½), successively connected by a fastening means to the opposite side of the two small bands thereby enabling the Jacob's Ladder type articulation of the toy. See FIG. 10B.

In the present invention, the two smaller ribbons are secured to the generally rectangular block by a small tack of equal size to the ribbon, with the larger ribbon being secured by two tacks of approximately equal size. See FIG. 9; See FIG. 10C. The fastening means need not be tacks, but they could also be glue or other means of securing the ribbons such that the toy can articulate through the Jacob's Ladder type motions.

Images and other displays are then applied to each generally rectangular block. For instance, the first generally rectangular block may have the two smaller ribbons running across the face and therefore the image would be affixed to the generally rectangular block itself. The second generally rectangular block would then have the larger ribbon on its face, and therefore an image would be affixed to the larger ribbon. The articulation of the generally rectangular blocks would then show pictures or words in succession. See FIGS. 1 through 8, attached hereto. As the toy articulates through its motions, the images will appear uninterrupted and not obstructed by any ribbons.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention. 

1. A Jacob's Ladder type toy comprising in combination; a set of substantially rectangular blocks hingedly interconnected in a linear series by three ribbons, one larger ribbon and two smaller ribbons, the two smaller ribbons fixed at both ends of each said substantially rectangular blocks to both ends of each adjacent substantially rectangular blocks running from the ends of said substantially rectangular blocks over the surfaces of said substantially rectangular blocks to the ends of each adjacent said substantially rectangular blocks wherein each of said substantially rectangular blocks area hingedly interconnected in a linear series to a larger ribbon alternating between said substantially rectangular blocks, said larger ribbon fixed at both ends of each said substantially rectangular blocks to both ends of each adjacent substantially rectangular blocks, such larger ribbon capable of receiving images for unobstructed display. 